Tips for Women Travelers in Jordan

All the information below is provided by Pink Pangea community members based on their experiences abroad. Get involved and add your voice now!

Health

Feminine Hygienic Products

Kate says: There are lots of options for pads, but where I stayed in Irbid tampons were very hard to find. I had to go to the only large grocery store in the town (Carrefour) and they only had one brand option, which was quite expensive.

Tampons are not very popular because many Jordanian women think that if you use a tampon you are no longer a virgin. However, there are definitely people who use them and Amman is probably an easier place to find them.

Romance

Dating Locals

Kate says: Jordanians generally see American or Western women as loose, and someone who is not of Middle Eastern descent will automatically attract more attention. As a result, I did not date while I was there. Be careful of giving out personal information, and be aware that what may seem polite to us as Westerners can come off as “flirtatious” to them.

Types of Men

Kate says: Catcalling and honking are very common from men of all ages towards women of all ages and races.

Women's Rights

Women’s Rights

Kate says: Women are not equal in Jordan. For example, women are not allowed to ride in the front seat of a taxi. Men are required to do so, but it is seen as improper for any lady. If a personal car is being used, women can sit anywhere or drive.

Local Women

Kate says: A big difference between foreign women and Jordanian women is perception of time! Sometimes people set up meetings but will not get there until an hour or two after it supposedly starts. Everything moves more slowly, and that is okay with them.

Women-Specific Environments

Kate says: There are many cafes around town that are reserved for men. Before going into any place, especially later at night, make sure that there are Jordanian women or families present and that the place is not just filled with men. It is very popular for men to go out and smoke hookah or play cards together.

Perception of Foreign Women

Kate says: People are very friendly and are always looking to make a connection. Since I am from the U.S., people always tell me about relatives they have that live there.

Safety

Transportation

Kate says: Taxis are definitely the best. The buses are confusing in my experience. Just be careful to not take taxis alone at night, and be very clear that they need to use the meter or they will try to overcharge you.

Kate says: Wear modest clothing – my general rule is always elbows and ankles covered. Stay away from anything sheer or very tight. Make sure that you dress lightly in the summer, because it can get very hot!

Tips for Women Travelers in Jordan by Deva Kellam

I felt scared in Jordan only once. On a walk with two of my roommates from our apartment to a local restaurant, a white mustang started following us. The tinted windows rolled down and compliments poured out. My roommate suggested that we skip dinner at the restaurant, as we might not be able to get back to our apartment without them following us home.

Instead, we decided to walk to our school where one of our professors could help us get somewhere safely. As we approached the busy main street, the people in the car realized that they would not be able to follow us further. Before they sped off, one young man shouted, “We will wait for you!”

I felt angry, exposed, humiliated, and frightened all at once. But before we could even make it to the school, another car drove up unexpectedly–this time driven by the son of one of our professors. He offered us all a ride to the restaurant and even paid for our meals.

On the ride back to the apartment he explained that they probably hadn’t meant to scare us and most definitely were not going to be waiting at the corner of our street.

On the ride back to the apartment he explained that they probably hadn’t meant to scare us and most definitely were not going to be waiting at the corner of our street. By the time he dropped us off at the door, we felt just as safe as we had back home.

What I remembered most about that experience was not the harassment (which was NOT okay, regardless of the men’s intention), but rather the unprecedented and sincere generosity that we received. So much of my travel preparations had focused on making sure I would be safe in Jordan, where I assumed I would feel vulnerable.

I wish now that I had spent time preparing for the connectedness and security I would feel in Jordan so that I could fully appreciate it. With that, here are six things I wish I would have known before traveling to Jordan:

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Jordan Trip

1. How to cook

Depending on where you stay and your level of proficiency in Arabic, authentic cuisine can be hard to come by or intimidating to seek out. Take this as an opportunity to learn how to cook Mediterranean food straight from the source! You will save a considerable amount of money by cooking for yourself and have fun practicing your Arabic in the process.

More importantly, by having the tools and skills necessary to prepare a home cooked meal, you will have the opportunity to engage in the most important part of Jordanian culture: hospitality. Nothing can prepare you for the compassion and generosity that you will experience as a guest in a Jordanian home. Trust me, you will want to give more than a “shukran” in return.

2. How NOT to take a picture

No matter where you are, you should always ask before taking a photo of person or their property, but this is especially important when traveling in a predominantly Muslim country.

It is forbidden for some Muslim women to have their picture taken whether they are in hijab or not. It is tempting to take a picture of every new and novel thing you see, but keep in mind that what seems strange or funny to you might be an important part of someone’s life. That donkey you just snapped a photo of might be your neighbor’s transportation.

How would you feel if a stranger started taking pictures of your car? Studies have actually shown that it is harder to retain the important details of an experience when you are looking at the world through a viewfinder. If you want to get the full experience while traveling, put down the camera every once in a while.

3. How to navigate public transportation

As a tourist or student abroad, it is best to travel in groups with at least one male. However, that does not mean that you cannot safely enjoy your independence in Jordan away from your peers or host family.

The best way to accomplish this is by using public transportation such as buses and vans. Cabs are expensive and can only take you within a limited area. Further, you are in a more vulnerable position alone in the backseat of a cab than in a crowded bus. The most empowering and engaging experience of my entire trip was taking a bus from Amman to Irbid to visit my friend’s family.

I had neither a phone nor a map, just an English-Arabic dictionary and the directions that my friend provided, written on a piece of paper. At the bus station, I sat next to a young woman close to my age and introduced myself. I showed her my friend’s carefully written instructions and it just so happened that she was going the same way.

Just like that, I was no longer traveling alone. With a smartphone or a map (or really good directions) and someone to meet you at point ‘b’, you have everything you need to explore Jordan safely “on your own.”

4. How to get personal

Certain conversation topics that qualify as “personal” or “intimate” in Western culture are less taboo among acquaintances in Arab culture. That doesn’t mean that you have to answer questions that make you uncomfortable, but it does allow you to connect more deeply with the people you meet. Learn how to talk about yourself in Arabic. Even very simple phrases can give people insight into your values.

It is very common in Arab culture to talk about the most recent or significant deaths in the family. As soon as you become aware that someone has died, you respond with “allah-yar-humah” (God rest her soul), “allah-yar-humoh” (God rest his soul), or “allah-yar-hamhum” (God rest their souls). From that point on, whenever that person is mentioned in the conversation, you should interject with the correct form of “allahyarhumah.”

5. How to dance

Street performers frequent many tourist sites such as Jerash and Um-Qais. Where there is music and open space, Debka is sure to follow. It is just as fun to participate in the dance as it is to watch the pros in action. If you plan to stay in Wadi Rum (which you must do while in Jordan), you will definitely want to learn a few basic steps.

At night, the tourist camps turn into desert dance clubs complete with lights and a D.J. For dancing of all kinds, Amman has several night clubs that you will want to check out. Many of these clubs cater to American and European patrons, but that does not mean they aren’t popular with locals. Going out is a great way to make friends and see parts of the city you might not have ever known existed.

6. How to be different

Anywhere you go, there will be people you can trust and people that you cannot trust. It is no more or less difficult to discern these two types of people abroad than it is at home. Most people will be curious about and not threatened by your differences.

My pale skin, red hair, and American clothes attracted a lot of unwanted attention, but it also served as an ice-breaker for some incredible conversations. You will more than likely, at some point in your trip, make a mistake in your speech or decorum and more than likely someone will laugh.

But don’t let that keep you from talking with as many people as possible. The perspective you gain from international travel does not come simply by seeing more of the world, but rather, by seeing yourself through the eyes of others.

Have you traveled to Jordan? What were your impressions? Email us at editor@pinkpangea.com for information about sharing your experience and advice with the Pink Pangea community. We can’t wait to hear from you! Tips for Women Travelers in Jordan